Nick Kyrgios says he will only accept an Australian Open wildcard if he can deliver the full “Kyrgios Experience” at Melbourne Park later this month, adding he would rather the spot go to a young player if he is not fit.
The world No. 671, preparing for his first professional match in five months at the Brisbane International, told this masthead, “Proving (myself) to Tennis Australia hasn’t crossed my mind once… I don’t want to be that guy that takes away opportunities from younger players.”
Kyrgios reflected on the 2013 French Open, when a wildcard allowed him, then 18, to debut in a grand slam, defeating Radek Stepanek and kickstarting his career.
“I understand what a wildcard can do for someone’s life… I just want to go out there and give the people a good show,” he said.
Partnering Thanasi Kokkinakis in doubles at Brisbane, Kyrgios will assess his fitness in singles, acknowledging his knee injury remains a day-to-day issue.
“If I’m not able to give them the ‘Kyrgios Experience’, then I would genuinely rather give it to someone that earned the wildcard,” he added.
Source: The Australian.
